In this file photo, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings warms up before playing against the New York Islanders on February 11, 2012, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images file)

In this file photo, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings waits for a faceoff against the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center on January 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images file)

EL SEGUNDO — Drew Doughty usually is the fun, goofy, beloved teammate for the Kings off the ice.

His relaxed vibe, superstar play on defense and easygoing nature have made him a leader and strong voice for the Kings, who have staged miraculous comebacks and won six elimination games this postseason.

Doughty is nearly flawless on defense and has set up his teammates well to the tune of nine postseason assists. He comes up big in big games (see the assist on Jeff Carter’s game-tying goal in Game 2 in Chicago).

“I’ve become a lot more of a leader than in past years,” Doughty said. “When I got out there, I have to be the best defenseman on the ice. I have to make sure I’m showing that. I’m just playing my hardest and trying to have fun, too. I’m trying to be the most competitive guy out there.”

It was a rarity to see Doughty slam his stick in frustration, as he did in the second period of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in Chicago. His goal early in the third period tied the game and set off a five-goal outburst that has the Kings and Blackhawks tied at 1-1 in the series entering today’s Game 3 at Staples Center.

Doughty is earning high praise from every corner. Kings coach Darryl Sutter scoffed — as he does at many things — at continued questions about Doughty’s leadership. It’s a worthy topic, but Sutter believes it’s one that should go without saying.

“That’s a question we answer once a month,” Sutter said. “It’s very evident in his performance, that’s the way he demonstrates his leadership.”

Doughty landed his big payday, an eight-year, $65 million deal in 2011, and he’s still playing as though he’s up for free agency every year. He had 37 points in the regular season and 10 points in the postseason. He’s vying for cover status of the EA Sports NHL 15 video game, too.

He’s a plus-7 for the Kings when he’s on the ice this postseason, second on the team to only Justin Williams at plus-9.

“I’ve been saying this for a couple years now, but he’s our (Nicklas) Lidstrom,” teammate Anze Kopitar said. “We all know what he did in Detroit for many, many years. I think Drew likes the big stage. He likes these types of games. He gets very emotional. He just brings his game to the next level at this time of the year and in these types of games.”

Kings captain Dustin Brown isn’t ready to crown Doughty with Lidstrom applause, but he believes Doughty is leaning toward that kind of career. Lidstrom, the former Red Wings captain, played on four Stanley Cup championship teams and was known as “Mr. Perfect.”

“I can’t speak for Kopi, but the way I look at that is Drew has a long way to go to be a Nick Lidstrom,” Brown said. “But I think he has the impact on our team comparable to the impact that Lidstrom had on Detroit. Their skill sets are similar, but I think Drew has a long way to go to be that player. But his impact on our team has a similar effect. I think there’s been a big growth spurt from him from that (leadership) standpoint in the last year and half.

“Just being more vocal and saying certain things at the right time. He’s kind of coming into his own as an off-ice kind of guy with his personality and the way he’s matured. He’s getting to that time where he’s taken more of a role.”

Doughty, taken second overall in the 2008 draft, is in his sixth year with the Kings, making him seem like a grizzled veteran, but he’s only 24.

And yet he has a way about the Kings’ locker room that commands much respect. He knows he does that every time he skates on the ice.

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